Mars/venus/blanket/comforter

ABSTRACT

This product is designed to provide a blanket/comforter with a closure slit extending approximately two-thirds of the way from the top, center to the bottom, center of the blanket/comforter. The blanket/comforter will also have a fastening system to seal the closure slit and that allows the blanket/comforter to function as a full blanket/comforter if the user(s) so desire.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Non-Provisional Patent Application claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/600,219 filed on Aug. 10, 2004entitled “Mars/Venus/Blanket/Comforter.”

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to bed coverings. Theinvention discussed herein is in the general classification of bedfurnishings.

BACKGROUND

Sharing a bed with another person can be an uncomfortable occasion.Often, both occupants of the bed may become cold during sleep and mayattempt to pull the bed linen to their respective sides of the bed.Similarly, one person may become too hot for the bed linen and wish toremove some of the layers. Removal of layers by one occupant can allowcool air to filter under the covering and reach the other occupant whomay then become too cold.

Typical bed coverings are simply uniform sheets and blankets thatrequire both parties to use the same amount of bed covering.Alternatively, one bed occupant must remove the covering and fold itover on top of the other occupant or sleep on top of the coveringaltogether if he becomes too hot.

Previous attempts to solve the problems associated with conventionalblankets and comforters have relied on a closure slit that extends fromthe top, center of the blanket toward the bottom, center of the blanketor comforter. This closure slit allows one bed occupant to fold theblanket down or away from the other occupant of the bed. However, theprior solutions require the use of an extra piece of material connectedto the top of the blanket to prevent the closure slit from uncomfortablytouching the bed occupants. This extra material is held over the closurewith the use of buttons or snaps which also may contact the bedoccupants and may come loose and allow the extra material to extend overthe top of the blanket.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In general, the Mars/Venus/Blanket/Comforter has a closure slit down itscenter to allow the occupants of the bed to adjust the comforter to suittheir personal preferences. The comforter or blanket can come in avariety of sizes to be utilized with different sized beds. The comforteror blanket is preferably made of high quality, durable material that iseasily laundered.

Generally, the blanket/comforter has a closure slit approximatelytwo-thirds of the way from the top, center to the bottom, center of theblanket/comforter. It should be understood that any closure slit thatextends beyond half-way to the bottom of the blanket/comforter willsuffice for purposes of this invention. It should further be understoodthat “blanket” includes “comforters” and the like and vice versa. Theblanket/comforter will also have a fastening system that allows it tofunction as a full blanket/comforter if the user(s) so desire.

In one embodiment of the invention, the fastening system will be encasedin the fabric of the blanket/comforter to enhance the aestheticappearance of the blanket/comforter. When the fastening system isutilized, the blanket/comforter will resemble a single, completeblanket/comforter. In addition, encasing the fastening system in fabricwill prevent it from uncomfortably contacting users of theblanket/comforter.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a blanket/comforterthat is capable of operating like an ordinary blanket/comforter and alsocapable of being adjusted to allow both users individually to remove orreplace the blanket/comforter as the need arises.

Another object of this invention is to provide an easily launderedblanket or comforter that is reliable and long-lasting, yet relativelyinexpensive.

Another object of this invention is to provide a blanket/comforter witha closure slit that can quietly be opened and closed and will blend intothe material if desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide a blanket/comforter witha closure slit that will not contact the occupants of the bed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a blanket/comforterthat operates like two separate blankets/comforters but allows the usersthe ease and simplicity of a single blanket/comforter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the blanket/comforter.

FIG. 2 depicts a close-up, top view of one embodiment of the closureslit for the blanket/comforter.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of one embodiment of the fastening mechanismfor the closure slit.

FIG. 4 depicts a close-up, top view of another embodiment of the closureslit for the blanket/comforter.

FIG. 5 depicts a front view of one embodiment of the fastening mechanismfor the closure slit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The blanket/comforter of the present invention comprises at least someof the following: a fabric material, a closure slit extendingapproximately two-thirds of the way from the top, center to the bottom,center of the fabric material, and plastic strips located on either sideof the closure slit that permit the closure slit to be sealed together.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 1, arectangular or square fabric material 2 has a centrally located closureslit 3 extending approximately two-thirds of the way from the top,center of the blanket/comforter 1 to the bottom, center of theblanket/comforter 1. The closure slit 3 has interlocking strips 4 sewninto the fabric material 2 and located on each side of the closure slit3. In this preferred embodiment, the strips 4 are made of plastic.

FIG. 2 depicts a close-up of the preferred embodiment of theinterlocking plastic strips 4 located on each side of the closure slit3. The interlocking plastic strips 4 have a corresponding fasteningmechanism 5 that permits a user to connect or disconnect theinterlocking plastic strips 4. In the preferred embodiment, thefastening mechanism 5 extends the length of the plastic strips 4. In thepreferred embodiment, the fastening mechanism 5 is formed from aprotrusion on one plastic strip 4 that interlocks with channels orgrooves on the other plastic strip 4. These protrusions andcorresponding grooves or channels often extend the length of the plasticstrips 4 but may extend only for a portion of the plastic strips 4.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the preferred embodiment of the fasteningmechanism 5. One side of the fastening mechanism 5 is shaped like anarrow with the other side of the fastening mechanism 5 having a channelsuitable for accepting the arrow shaped side of the fastening mechanism5. However, it should be understood that any male and correspondingfemale shaped fastening mechanism would suffice for purposes of thisinvention.

FIG. 4 depicts a close-up of another embodiment of the interlockingstrips 6 located on each side of the closure slit 7. The interlockingplastic strips 6 have a corresponding fastening mechanism 8 that permitsa user to connect or disconnect the interlocking strips 6. The fasteningmechanism 8 extends the length of the strips 6. As with the preferredembodiment, the strips 6 are preferably formed from plastic.

FIG. 5 shows a close-up of another embodiment of the fastening mechanism8. One side of the fastening mechanism 8 has an upward facing hook shapewith the other side of the fastening mechanism 8 having a downwardfacing hook shape suitable for accepting the upward facing hook shape ofthe other side of the fastening mechanism 8.

The fastening mechanism for the closure slit could also be made withvelcro, snaps, magnets, metal zippers, plastic zippers, hooks, buttons,etc. The fastening mechanism also need not extend the length of thestrip or be connected to any strip at all. Instead, the fasteningmechanism may simply attach to the fabric of the blanket/comforter andoperate to seal the closure slit.

Many of the articles related to this invention have the form of astandard blanket/comforter. As such, the invention can vary in lengthand width just as standard blankets and comforters vary in size to fitcertain bed types. The typical width of the blanket/comforter iseighty-six (86) inches to ninety (90) inches and the typical length ofthe blanket/comforter is eight-six (86) inches to ninety-five (95)inches. The typical thickness of the blanket/comforter is one-half (½)an inch to two (2) inches. The blanket/comforter is also designed to belight weight and durable. Of course, any size or shape blanket orcomforter is acceptable for the present invention.

The fabrics utilized for the blanket/comforter can vary widely but willoften be made of cotton, silk, polyester or other suitable beddingmaterial. The comforter could be stuffed with cotton batting or othermaterial to allow the comforter to retain body warmth.

Plastic may also be used in the production process of theblanket/comforter. The plastic used in the production will ideally beselected for durability and longevity. Thermoplastics are commonly usedin the manufacturing of components similar to those used in thisinvention. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and other similar thermoplasticmaterials would be among those with the necessary traits. Members ofthis family are recognized universally as being versatile and of highquality.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes ormodifications may be made to the above-described embodiments withoutdeparting from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It shouldtherefore be understood that this invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include allchanges and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

1. A blanket comprising: (a) a fabric material; (b) a closure slitextending approximately two-thirds of the way from approximately the topand center of the fabric material to approximately the bottom and centerof the fabric material; (c) a first strip attached to the fabricmaterial located on a first side of the closure slit; and (d) a secondstrip attached to the fabric material and located on a second side ofthe closure slit opposite the first strip.
 2. The blanket of claim 1wherein the first strip and second strip are made of plastic.
 3. Theblanket of claim 1 wherein the first strip has a protrusion extending atleast a portion of the first strip that interlocks with a correspondingchannel that extends at least a portion of the second strip.
 4. Theblanket of claim 1 wherein the first strip has a first hook-shapedprotrusion that extends at least a portion of the first strip thatinterlocks with a second hook-shaped protrusion that extends at least aportion of the second strip.
 5. The blanket of claim 1 wherein thefabric material is filled with cotton batting.
 6. A blanket comprising:(a) fabric material; (b) a closure slit extending approximatelytwo-thirds of the way from approximately the top and center of thefabric material to approximately the bottom and center of the fabricmaterial; and (c) a first fastening mechanism connected to the fabric ona first side of the closure slit with a corresponding second fasteningmechanism connected to the fabric on a second side of the closure slit.7. The blanket of claim 6 wherein the first fastening mechanism on thefirst side of the closure slit is a hook and the second fasteningmechanism on the second side of the closure slit is a loop.
 8. Theblanket of claim 6 wherein the first fastening mechanism on the firstside of the closure slit is a first magnet and the second fasteningmechanism on the second side of the closure slit is a second magnet. 9.The blanket of claim 6 wherein the first fastening mechanism on thefirst side of the closure slit is a zipper and the second fasteningmechanism on the second side of the closure slit is a guide.
 10. Theblanket of claim 6 wherein the first fastening mechanism on the firstside of the closure slit is a button and the second fastening mechanismon the second side of the closure slit is a hole.
 11. The blanket ofclaim 6 wherein the first fastening mechanism on the first side of theclosure slit is a velcro hook and the second fastening mechanism on thesecond side of the closure slit is a velcro loop.
 12. A blanketcomprising: (a) a fabric material; (b) a closure slit extendingapproximately two-thirds of the way from approximately the top andcenter of the fabric material to approximately the bottom and center ofthe fabric material; (c) a first strip attached to the fabric materiallocated on a first side of the closure slit and having a protrusionextending at least a portion of its length; and (d) a second stripattached to the fabric material and located on a second side of theclosure slit opposite the first strip and having a channel that extendsat least a portion its length corresponding with the protrusion of thefirst strip.